Texas Border Business
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 61-year-old Houston man has pleaded guilty to transporting illegal aliens.
Rodney William Gipson admitted that, despite nearly 30 years as a commercial truck driver, he knew or recklessly disregarded the fact he was illegally transporting two dozen illegal aliens in his truck.
On Feb. 19, Gipson drove a tractor-trailer to the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint. He claimed he was transporting a load from the Rio Grande Valley to Houston, but a K-9 soon alerted to the rear of the trailer.
At secondary inspection, law enforcement discovered 24 illegal aliens hidden inside the vehicle. They also found a cargo document showing the truck was supposed to be hauling a load of carrots.
Gipson was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.
Sentencing will be set a later date before U.S. District Judge David S. Morales. At that time, Gipson faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Griffith is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigrants, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Updated July 21, 2026
